1
as in collisions
a forceful coming together of two things
the whole railway platform shook from the shock of the two trains colliding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in astonishments
the state of being strongly impressed by something unexpected or unusual
were in shock after they heard the news of the death of the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in appalls
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
Mom was shocked by the terrible news that her cousin had died in an accident I was shocked to find out that I was the victim of identity theft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surprises
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected
were shocked by the way the law against public intoxication was constantly being broken
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in scares
to strike with fear
the sudden appearance of the ghost shocked us to the core
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shocks
Alex Pron, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Domestic production has a direct national security impact, ensuring the country retains some capacity in a critical industry and reducing exposure to global shocks.
—Christian Birky, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
The insole is made of memory foam and designed to absorb shocks, keeping your feet from feeling the discomfort of every bump along the sidewalk.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Without accessible credit or reserves, small businesses are left reacting to policy shocks while larger competitors plan quarters ahead.
—Jacob Bennett, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
These are families and investors looking for protection from inflation, taxation, and systemic shocks.
—William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
If rates don't cooperate or upside inflation shocks push back the timetable, this stock is going to react negatively.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Soliman fled to the United States in 2014 on a visitor visa and later filed a petition for asylum, describing how security forces over the years had locked him up on false charges and tortured him with electrical shocks.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
In Israel, resilience is not treated as a soft virtue but as a critical capability to absorb shocks, adapt fast, and rebuild after failure.
—Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Someone may step up in a way that shocks you, or someone may fade out just as quickly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
The sight shocks him out of his reverie.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
This genuinely shocks the robot, who had speculated there had to be a third party involved in the Empire-Foundation conflict but didn’t even think of Foundation having a backup plan.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Instead, Demerzel shocks her with an unexpected appearance, and the stage is set.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
External Shocks Stimulus packages and money printing can lead to supply shocks and global inflation surges.
—Alex Pron, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Domestic production has a direct national security impact, ensuring the country retains some capacity in a critical industry and reducing exposure to global shocks.
—Christian Birky, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
The insole is made of memory foam and designed to absorb shocks, keeping your feet from feeling the discomfort of every bump along the sidewalk.
—Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Without accessible credit or reserves, small businesses are left reacting to policy shocks while larger competitors plan quarters ahead.
—Jacob Bennett, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
These are families and investors looking for protection from inflation, taxation, and systemic shocks.
—William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
If rates don't cooperate or upside inflation shocks push back the timetable, this stock is going to react negatively.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Soliman fled to the United States in 2014 on a visitor visa and later filed a petition for asylum, describing how security forces over the years had locked him up on false charges and tortured him with electrical shocks.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
In Israel, resilience is not treated as a soft virtue but as a critical capability to absorb shocks, adapt fast, and rebuild after failure.
—Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The elder Hall’s indifference toward his son’s life shocks even his captor, prompting a bonding moment that softens the viewer’s perceptions of both men.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Someone may step up in a way that shocks you, or someone may fade out just as quickly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
The sight shocks him out of his reverie.
—Roy Scranton
august 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
This genuinely shocks the robot, who had speculated there had to be a third party involved in the Empire-Foundation conflict but didn’t even think of Foundation having a backup plan.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Instead, Demerzel shocks her with an unexpected appearance, and the stage is set.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shocks
Noun
-
At least 23 people have died in collisions in 2025, 16 of whom were pedestrians or cyclists.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is to prevent collisions at first base, and also to make that runner’s lane in foul territory actually mean something because no right-handed batter when leaving the box ever enters that running lane.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unless the Fed surprises with a half point cut or strongly suggests another cut will come at the October meeting, a case could be made stocks are a bit out over their skis.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The potential intruder surprises her in the water.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Persistent, sticky inflation is what scares us.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But for both actors, their horror movies are more about love than scares.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
No rattling wheels, no jolts, just a smooth, whisper-quiet ride.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Ainscough, a Studio Ashby alum who launched her solo design practice in 2020, took those distinctive doors as a starting point for the scheme of gentle greens, blues, and golden yellows—interjected with bold jolts of cherry and crimson.—
Fiona McCarthy,
Architectural Digest,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Remus, who is now 5, amazes his family by reading books on his own, a development which Whittenburg attributes in part to the Imagination Library.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What specifically frightens you?—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Relatively little is known about their ecological or human-related impacts.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
18 Sep. 2025
-
With the right data, leaders can anticipate impacts, adjust operations, and even seize opportunities.—
Sheri Bachstein,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chamarel, Mauritius Spilling across the volcanic hills of southwest Mauritius, Chamarel stuns with its terrain—Seven Coloured Earth ripples in bands of violet, ochre, and rust, shifting under the tropical sun like a living canvas.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The 75-inch Roku Pro Series is a massive 4K television that stuns with vibrant colors, hands-free voice control, and a $701 discount.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shocks. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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